Y27632 induces tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell apoptosis through MAPK-ERK/JNK signal

Abstract Objectives ROCK signaling is considered a therapeutic target for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Y27632, a well-established ROCK inhibitor, has previously been reported to block oral squamous cell carcinoma cell growth and has shown cell type dependence in the treatment of other cancers. TP53 is one of the most frequently mutated genes in head and neck cancer. Here, we aim to investigate the role of Y27632 in wild-type and p53 mutant (R175H) SCC9 cells. Methods The p53-mutation (R175H) and p53-null SCC9 cell line were conducted, then, CCK8, colony formation, wound-healing assays, and transwell assay were employed to investigate the role of Y27632 in wtp53 and mutp53 SCC9 cells. The effects of Y27632 in SCC9 cells were also confirmed by the knockdown of ROCK1/2. Additionally, cell cycle and apoptosis were assessed using flow and western blot analysis. The impact of Y27632 on cell senescence was confirmed through the senescence-associated β -gal staining. Furthermore, the inhibition of Y27632 was examined in vivo using tumor-bearing nude mice. Results Our study demonstrates that Y27632 effectively impeded the proliferation of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) cells in vitro and in vivo . Additionally, the proliferation and migration of wtp53 and mutp53 SCC9 cells were also significantly suppressed by Y27632 or ROCK siRNA in vitro . Mechanistically, Y27632 induced apoptosis in SCC9 cells via the MAPK-ERK/JNK signaling pathway. Conclusions Our data demonstrated that Y27632 induces apoptosis in SCC9 cells via the MAPK-ERK/JNK signaling pathway, regardless of the presence of p53 mutant variants (R175H). This will provide a potential therapeutic drug for TSCC treatment in the future.